ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-sixth Legislature Second Regular Session
	Senate: TTMC DP 5-2-0-0 | 3^rd Read 24-4-2-0

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SB 1561: wildland fire prevention special plates

Sponsor: Senator Bennett, LD 1

Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure

Overview

Establishes the Wildland Fire Prevention Special Plate and Fund.

History

The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is required to provide every vehicle owner one license plate for every vehicle registered upon application and payment of fees (A.R.S. § 28- 2351). Statute requires ADOT to issue or renew special plates according to specified requirements (A.R.S. § 28-2403). An initial and annual renewal fee of $25 is required for the special plate in addition to the vehicle registration fees. Of the $25 special plate fee, $8 is an administrative fee and $17 is an annual donation (A.R.S. §§ 28-2402, 2404). Special plates require a standard $32,000 implementation fee.

All license plates, including special plates, that are designed or redesigned after September  24, 2022, are required to have: 1) the background color of the license plate contrast significantly with the color of the letters and numerals and the name of the state on the license plate; and 2) the name of the state appear on the license plate in capital letters in sans serif font with a height of three-fourths of an inch (A.R.S. § 28- 2351).

Provisions

1. Establishes the Wildland Fire Prevention Special Plate and Fund if a person pays $32,000 to ADOT by December 31, 2024. (Sec. 3)

2. Requires the person who provides the $32,000 to design the Wildland Fire Prevention Special Plate. (Sec. 3)

3. States that the design and color of the Wildland Fire Prevention Special Plates are subject to the approval of ADOT. (Sec. 3)

4. Allows the Director of ADOT (Director) to combine requests for the Wildland Fire Prevention Special Plates with requests for personalized special plates and subjects the request to additional fees. (Sec. 3)

5. Stipulates that of the $25 fee for the Wildland Fire Prevention Special Plate, $8 is an administration fee and $17 is an annual donation. (Sec. 3)

6. Requires ADOT to deposit all Wildland Fire Prevention Special Plate administration fees into the state Highway Fund and all donations into the Wildland Fire Prevention Special Plate Fund (Fund). (Sec. 3)

7. Directs the first $32,000 in the Fund to be reimbursed to the person who paid the implementation fee. (Sec. 3)

8. Tasks the Director with administering the Fund. (Sec. 3)

9. Asserts that no more than 10% of monies in the Fund may be used for the cost of administering the Fund. (Sec. 3)

10. Stipulates that monies in the Fund are continuously appropriated. (Sec. 3)

11. Requires the Director to annually allocate monies from the Fund to an entity that is qualified under section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code for federal income tax purposes that:

a) has a vision of an exemplary, one-of-a-kind wildland fire learning center that honors the legacy of deceased hotshot crew firefighters by educating, inspiring and motivating visitors to adopt behaviors that prevent wildland fires, resulting in fewer fire-related fatalities;

b) has a mission to establish and operate a wildland fire learning center that honors deceased hotshot crew firefighters by telling their story, displaying and housing artifacts and memorabilia and educating visitors about wildland fire, firefighting and prevention; and

c) has a board comprised of family members of deceased hotshot crew firefighters and community members. (sec. 3)

12. Directs the State Treasurer, on notice from the Director, to invest and divest Fund monies and states that monies earned from investment must be credited to the Fund. (Sec. 3)

13. Makes technical and conforming changes. (Sec. 1-2, 4-6)

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17.                   SB 1561

18. Initials LM           Page 0 Transportation & Infrastructure

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